Bottom mount fill valve

ABSTRACT

A system for mounting a fill valve in a toilet with a pivotable reservoir is disclosed. The pivotable reservoir is disposed inside the toilet tank. A fill valve is secured in the tank and designed to deliver water to the pivotable reservoir from an external water supply, wherein the fill valve is secured by a valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the tank. The fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line. The fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line away from and around the space through which the pivotable reservoir moves when actuated. A plurality of fasteners connect the fluid line to the fluid line support mechanism and the fill valve mechanism to the toilet tank and water supply.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/041,659, filed Aug. 26, 2014 and is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to fill valve mounting, routing, and supporting concepts in toilets, and more particularly, to mounting fill valve assemblies to the lower portion of a tank, routing intake fluid to a fill valve in an upper portion of a tank, and supporting the fill valve via a fill valve support mechanism in dump bucket toilets.

BACKGROUND

In conventional “dump bucket” toilet technology, a dump bucket (hereinafter “reservoir”) receives water from a fill valve to later empty into the tank when a user actuates a flush actuator to effect a flush. To effect the flush, the flush actuator may rotate thereby unseating the flush valve from the lower surface of the tank (in those configurations where a flush valve is provided) and the reservoir pivots to discharge its water into the tank in which the reservoir is positioned. In certain configurations, a flush valve is not provided and instead the toilet tank comprises a fluid outlet that remains open in all states. When the flush actuator is properly pivoted, water spills from the reservoir into the tank and into the toilet bowl to effectively discharge the waste.

Once the reservoir has concluded spilling its water into the tank, the reservoir tends to return to its pre-flush position so that it can again receive water from the refill valve.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,371 (“Bevan”) discloses a toilet retrofit kit to employ the use of conventional dump-bucket style flush technology. Bevan identifies articles and methods by which a user may retrofit a standard toilet to operate in the “dump bucket” fashion.

By way of another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,293 (“Hennessy”) discloses a conventional “dump bucket” style toilet comprising certain components, such as a rotatable reservoir having particular dimensions and additional connection and actuation features.

Observable in Bevan, Hennessy, and other toilets using conventional “dump-bucket” technologies are certain challenges regarding the manufacture, maintenance, and use of “dump bucket” toilets caused by the additional complexities in design. For example, the reservoirs employed in conventional “dump bucket” toilets typically occupy a substantial volume within a toilet tank, which may block the path of the riser pipe of a typical fill valve. Additionally, because the reservoirs employed in conventional “dump bucket” toilets move (rotate) when actuated, the potential for interference with other toilet components is created. Moreover, because the reservoirs employed in conventional “dump bucket” toilets may have a high-water mark at a vertical position different than that of a filled toilet tank, a modified fill valve float (or ballcock) may be required to accommodate the new high-water mark location in a toilet.

Unsuccessful attempts have been made to address some of the foregoing challenges. For example, attempts have been made to re-route the fluid connection to the fill valve by bypassing the reservoir completely, such as introducing the fluid connection to the fill from the upper portion of the tank and mechanically supporting the fill valve thereby. However, this mechanism is particularly onerous since mechanically supporting the fill valve from the upper portion of the tank makes accessing internal components of the toilet difficult which in turn makes normal maintenance and repair more burdensome than necessary.

Additionally, attempts have been made to re-route the fluid connection around the reservoir to the fill valve by pre-fabricating rigid pipe of copper, brass, steel, or the like, with particular shapes and orientations that carry fluid from a water supply located at or in a lower portion of the tank, up and around the rotatable reservoir, which otherwise would block its path, to a fill valve, which is also supported by the rigid pipe. The shortcomings of using a rigid pipe, however, include heightened material costs, additional manufacturing efforts required to properly cast and form the pipe, the potential for corrosion, and issues related to packaging, distribution, and sale, which are affected by the increased weight and particular shape of precast rigid piping.

Additionally, attempts have been made to use flexible hose to route fluid from the water supply line through the toilet tank, to the fill valve. However, the use of flexible hose creates additional inherent problems, such as the elimination of a structure for supporting the fill valve and float assembly above the rotatable reservoir. Additionally, a flexible hose, when introduced into an assembly containing components which rotate and move is more likely to be twisted, blocked, or impinged, which would thereby prevent ongoing operation of the fill and flush assemblies.

Accordingly, there is a need to mechanically secure fill valves in “dump bucket” toilet configurations from a lower portion of the tank so that installation and maintenance can be achieved rapidly with ease, and to reliably route water from the water supply to the fill valve without interfering with the operation of the “dump bucket,” as well as avoiding the need to manufacture or use heavy and rigid precast piping, and finally while employing the use of flexible fluid line (such as a hose) without introducing the potential for blockage or impingement. The need further calls for an assembly that consumes less space in the toilet once installed since the toilet no longer requires unnecessary components to couple the fill valve to the tank, and components which may be easily disassembled and replaced, if necessary.

SUMMARY

The following simplified summary is provided in order to disclose a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The disclosed embodiments are particularly advantageous since they allow a fill valve associated with a “dump bucket” toilet configuration to be conventionally supported above a rotatable reservoir but mounted to the lower portion of the associated toilet tank and fluidly connected to a water supply line connected to the lower portion of the toilet tank. This arrangement improves the maintenance time for the toilet, increasing usable space internal to the tank, and providing a toilet configuration where the “dump bucket” is able to change shapes easily or the envelope of the toilet tank can shrink without regard for the fill valve mounting structure to the upper portion of the tank.

The present disclosure provides a system for mounting a fill valve assembly to the lower portion of the toilet tank, the fill valve assembly also providing a routing structure which defines an un-impinged path for fluid to travel to a fill valve, and the fill valve assembly further securing the fill valve in position for use in a toilet with a pivotable reservoir, the system comprising a toilet tank with the pivotable reservoir disposed therein and a flush actuator rotatably or otherwise mechanically coupled to the pivotable reservoir and accessible external to the toilet tank. A fill valve is positioned internal to the tank and preferably above the privotable reservoir designed to deliver water to the pivotable reservoir from an external water supply. The fill valve is secured and positioned by a valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the tank, wherein rotating the flush actuator about a pivot axis of the pivotable reservoir causes the pivotable reservoir to rotate and spill water stored in the pivotable reservoir into the tank.

The lower portion of the toilet tank may be any portion below the pivotable reservoir when the pivotable reservoir is positioned inside the tank, including the lower surface of the tank. The fill valve of the system may be asymmetric. The flush actuator may be rotated a pre-determined degree of rotation about the pivot axis of the pivotable reservoir causing the pivotable reservoir to spill water stored in the pivotable reservoir into the tank. In embodiments where the lower surface comprises a fluid outlet through with water flows from the tank into the toilet bowl, water spilled from the pivotable reservoir when the flush actuator rotates causes the system to effect a flush and discharge waste in the toilet bowl. Rotating the flush actuator may further cause a valve seal of the fluid outlet to unseat so that water can be transmitted from the tank into the bowl.

In some embodiments, the pivotable reservoir preferably does not contact the valve support mechanism when the pivotable reservoir is rotated by the flush actuator. In embodiments where the valve support mechanism is fastened to the lower surface of the toilet tank, the fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line, which provides fluid communication between the fill valve and a water supply.

The valve support mechanism may comprise a fluid line and a fluid line support mechanism removably attached to the tank to guide the fluid line between the water supply and the fill valve. The fluid line may comprise a proximal end adjacent to the lower surface of the tank and a distal end near the fill valve, wherein the fluid line is operatively connected to a fastener on each end. The fastener may be externally or internally threaded or otherwise configured to removably attach to a fluid supply line and the fill valve, respectively, to the fluid line. In some embodiments, the fluid line may comprise a flexible or pliable material, such as a conventionally known hose.

The fluid line support mechanism may comprise a fluid line receiver to receive and substantially encircle the fluid line while guiding the fluid line between the water supply being fed into the tank and the fill valve. The fluid line may optionally be supported by the fluid line support mechanism through one or more fluid line attachments, curves, bends, or sleeves integrally formed in the fluid line support or removably attached thereto. One or more of the fasteners of the fluid line may be rigidly attached to the fluid line support mechanism. The fluid line is pliable or may be substantial rigid.

In one embodiment, the fluid line support mechanism defines a pathway for which the fluid line may travel around the pivotable reservoir and attach to the fill valve to avoid interfering with the movement of the reservoir and to avoid the potential for blockage or impingement of the fluid line. The size, shape, and general geometry of the fluid line support mechanism permits the fluid line to be connected to the fill valve without introducing the potential for inadvertently causing the fluid line (in flexible embodiments) to twist, deform, or develop a kink.

In one embodiment, the fill valve support mechanism may comprise a fluid line support mechanism, a fluid line, a collar and a plurality of fasteners. The fluid line support mechanism may be of plastic, thermoplastic, or other composite materials. The fluid line support mechanism may form a channel in which the fluid line resides. The fluid line support mechanism may have a plurality of substantially vertical members, at least one substantially diagonal member, and at least one substantially horizontal member. The plurality of vertical members may be optionally connected via the at least one substantially diagonal member. The substantially horizontal member may also connect to at least one of the plurality of substantially vertical member. One of the plurality of substantially horizontal members of the fluid support mechanism may comprise a plurality of fasteners, the plurality of fasteners optionally securing the valve support mechanism to the lower portion of the toilet and, and optionally fastening the water supply line to the valve support mechanism, and further optionally fastening the proximal end of the fluid line to the fluid line support mechanism. The at least one substantially horizontal member of the fluid support mechanism may comprise a collar which holds a fastener for fastening a proximal end of the fluid line to a fill valve.

A method of securing a fill valve in a toilet with a pivotable reservoir is also provided, the method comprising: pivotally connecting the pivotable reservoir inside a toilet tank, the pivotable reservoir comprising a pivot axis; rotably connecting a flush actuator to an external surface of the toilet tank and the pivot axis of the pivotable reservoir; fastening a proximal end of a fill valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the toilet tank, wherein a distal end of the fill valve support mechanism extends towards an upper portion of the toilet tank; and securing a fill valve inside the toilet tank by fastening the fill valve to the proximal end of the fill valve support mechanism. In this method, the fill valve delivers water to the pivotable reservoir.

The method may further comprise rotating the flush actuator a pre-determined degree of rotation to cause the pivotable reservoir to empty its water into the tank, wherein the pivotable reservoir does not contact the fill valve support mechanism when it is rotated. The predetermined degree of rotation may be 90 degrees or less, 45 degrees or less, or any other range or specified degree fit for design needs or preference.

The method may also include operatively connecting a fastener to each end of the fill valve support mechanism and removably attaching a fluid line support mechanism to the tank in order to guide the fluid line between the water supply and respective fill valve ends. The method may also comprise a fluid line receiver of the valve support mechanism receiving and substantially encircling the fluid line while guiding the fluid line between the water supply and the fill valve.

A method of mounting a fill valve in a toilet tank with a pivotable reservoir is also provided, the method comprising a step of moving the pivotable reservoir through its pivot axis to access a lower portion of the toilet tank, a step of fastening a proximal end of a fill valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the toilet tank, wherein a the fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line, a step of installing the fluid line into the fluid line support mechanism, wherein the fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line around the space through which the pivotable reservoir rotates when actuated to avoid impinging the fluid line and interfering with movement of the pivotable reservoir, and a step of securing a fill valve inside the toilet tank by fastening the fill valve to the distal end of fill valve support mechanism, wherein the fill valve delivers water to the pivotable reservoir.

The method may further comprising a step of fastening the fill valve support mechanism to the lower portion of the toilet tank using a bolt, a step of connecting a water supply line to a fastener of the fill valve support mechanism, a step of securing a fill valve fastener to the fill valve support mechanism at the distal end by a collar, a step of installing the fluid line into the fluid line support mechanism by fasteners at a distal end and a proximal end of the fluid line, and a step of protecting the fluid line by disposing it at least partially within the fluid line support mechanism.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the claimed subject matter may be employed and the claimed subject matter is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features may become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

At the same time, various elements of the device described herein may be slightly altered for various different features and various different or altered uses thereof, and these predicated changes and alterations are fully contemplated within the principles of the present disclosed improvements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of a portion of a toilet constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein a fill valve is secured relative to a pivotable, movable reservoir within the tank.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 wherein the forward, circumferential wall of the toilet tank has been removed so that components of the described system are visible when the reservoir is being pivoted in order to spill water into the tank from the reservoir.

FIG. 3 depicts a side plan (elevation) view of an exemplary valve support mechanism when coupled to an exemplary fill valve of the described system.

FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the embodiment described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts a forward plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 looking towards the fill valve, wherein the outer surface of the fill valve support mechanism has been removed so that components of the fill valve support mechanism, such as the fluid line and fasteners, and their interconnection, are visible.

FIG. 6a depicts a perspective view of the exemplary valve support mechanism of FIG. 3 in an exploded state and FIG. 6b depicts a similar view of the exemplary valve support mechanism when assembled.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the exemplary valve support mechanism and fill valve of FIG. 3 in an exploded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The device of the present disclosure may be economically molded by using one or more distinct parts to form a fill valve support mechanism and associated components which, when assembled together in a toilet configuration in an economical fashion, may form the disclosed device regardless of the particular form.

In exemplary embodiments, the disclosed system provides a self-contained approach to support a fill valve (which can be asymmetric) that may be mounted to a flexible fluid line to remotely supply water from an inlet of a toilet tank to a pivotable and/or movable water reservoir such as a dump bucket. The reservoir may be symmetric, asymmetric, or otherwise shaped so as to be received by the corresponding toilet tank. In all embodiments, the fill valve is secured to the toilet configuration via a fill valve support mechanism that is fastened to the lower portion of the tank as described in more detail below.

Referring to the figures herein for a better understanding, FIG. 1 depicts a toilet system 10 configured to effect a flush through a conventional dump bucket or rotatably movable reservoir 20. In practice, toilet 10 comprises toilet tank 12 with reservoir 20 disposed therein. Tank 12 may comprise circumferential walls and a closed lower end with fluid outlet hole 26 which leads to refill the toilet bowl (not depicted). Reservoir 20 may be pivotable about axis 22 which corresponds to the pivot axis of flush actuator 24 positioned on the external wall of tank 12. Actuator 24 therefore is in communication with reservoir 20 so that pivoting actuator 24 in turn causes reservoir 20 to pivot or rotate in accordance with the direction and magnitude of movement of actuator 24. In some embodiments, actuator 24 lifts a flush valve from being seated on hole 26. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, hole 26 is continually open so that when reservoir 20 pivots to dump water into tank 12, water then travels to bowl 14. Accordingly, reservoir 20 receives and stores water until a fill valve 35 delivers a predetermined amount of water wherein the end-user can effect a flush by pivoting actuator 24 thereby rotating reservoir 20 in order to dump water from reservoir 20 into tank 12.

When water is dumped from reservoir 20 into tank 12, water travels from tank 12 through hole 26 ultimately terminating in toilet bowl 14 (not depicted) to effect a flush that can dispose of liquid and solid waste previously stored in bowl 14. After reservoir 20 has finished emptying its water into tank 12, fill valve 35 directs water into reservoir from the external fluid supply (not depicted) in order to refill reservoir 20 until the fill valve 35 determines that a predetermined amount of water has been received by reservoir 20.

As shown, fill valve 35 may be asymmetric and designed to deliver water into reservoir 20. Fill valve 35 may comprise a valve and float assembly which is positioned and arranged above the reservoir 20 such that the fill valve 35 delivers water to the reservoir 20 until a predetermined volume is reached, whereupon the float assembly is rises to shut off the valve of fill valve 35. Actuator 24 may be mechanically attached to reservoir 20 from outside tank 12 so that the end-user may externally access actuator 24, rotate the same about pivot axis 22 and effectively rotate (e.g. tilt) reservoir 20 between a pre-flush, fill position when reservoir receives water from valve 35 to a flush position when reservoir is tilted by rotating actuator 24 so that water is delivered to tank 12 from reservoir 12. FIG. 1 depicts the pivoting movement of actuator 24 with rotational arrows at both ends of axis 22. Reservoir 20 and actuator 24 may be configured to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise as required or desired by the end-user.

Also seen in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a fill valve support mechanism 40 of the present teaching assembled within the tank 12 and fastened to the lower portion of the toilet tank 12 via fastener 60. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1., the support mechanism comprises a substantially vertical member which rises from fastener 60 below the reservoir 20; a substantially diagonal member with begins beneath the reservoir 20 and extends away from the substantially vertical member toward a circumferential wall of the tank 12 and continues until it is beyond the space through which the reservoir 20 moves during a flush, but terminates prior to reaching the circumferential wall of the tank 12; a second substantially vertical member which begins at the terminus of the substantially diagonal member of the support mechanism 40 and rises above the height of the top of the reservoir 20 but terminates prior to reaching the height of the toilet tank 12; and a substantially horizontal member which beings at, and extends away from, the terminus of the second substantially vertical member of the support mechanism and continues toward a location generally above reservoir 20; and a fastening mechanism (not depicted) which removably secures the fill valve 35 to the fill valve support mechanism 40. As more fully discussed herein, fluid line 42 is also partially visible in FIG. 1 and is routed through the substantially vertical, diagonal, vertical, and horizontal members of fill valve support mechanism 40. Although the foregoing embodiment discloses a generally diagonal member extending toward the forward wall of the tank 12, the present teachings are not so limited. A fill valve support mechanism 40 consistent with the present teachings may be oriented to extend toward any circumferential wall of the tank 12 in order to avoid interfering with the space through which a reservoir 20 moves during a flush sequence.

Although not depicted, the present disclosure directed to the mounting and securing a fill valve, and routing a fluid line from the lower portion of a toilet tank may be applied to other conventional dump bucket flush designs, such as where the external lever actuator is mechanically connected to the rotatable reservoir via a chain. In such an embodiment, the rotation of the lever pulls the chain, causing the dump bucket to rotate and empty itself and effect a flush. The foregoing is not meant as limiting, but instead as an example that the teachings herein are intended for application to all dump-bucket flush designs, regardless of the particular mechanical method practiced to cause movement of the dump bucket effectuating a flush.

FIG. 2 depicts a similar embodiment of the disclosed system 10 wherein the forward circumferential wall of tank 20 has been removed in order to more clearly observe interconnection of the components in the described system 10. In FIG. 2, reservoir 20 is seen having been rotated about pivot axis 22 by actuator 24. Fill valve support mechanism 40 is in a partially exploded state so that fastener 48 is not completely seated against tank 12 and corresponding fastener 60 (e.g. internally threaded nut) is depicted before being seated against the external, lower surface of tank 12. An external water supply line may be introduced through fastener 60 and corresponding fastener 48 (depicted as externally threaded) of mechanism 40 as described below. In one embodiment, fastener 48 comprises a hollow post and external threads, wherein the diameter of the hollow post and the pitch and the spacing of the external threads are of standard sizes such that a standard water supply line may be fastened to the fastener 48. Fastener 50 is partially visible as disposed substantially within a lower part of the substantially vertical member of the fill valve support mechanism. As discussed more further herein, fastener 50 may comprise an internally threaded nut portion, which fastens fluid line 42 on to fastener 47 (not depicted).

FIG. 2 additionally depicts the various substantially vertical, diagonal, and horizontal portions of fill valve support mechanism 40 routing fluid line 42 away from the space through which reservoir 20 moves when rotated.

In all embodiments, as reservoir 20 rotates a predetermined angle of rotation in the user-defined flushing direction, this rotation causes reservoir 20 to tilt and discharge its water into tank 12 to ultimately flow into bowl 14. The predetermined angle may be any angle equal to or lesser than 90 degrees with respect to the unflushed state on axis 22. Preferably, the angle may be between 45 and 90 degrees with respect to the unflushed state on axis 22.

FIG. 3 depicts a forward plan (elevation) view of valve support mechanism 40 when coupled to fill valve 35 (corresponding toilet configuration not depicted in this figure) via fastener 52 which is held by collar 53 (pictured in FIG. 6a ). It can be seen that mechanism 40 comprises fastener 48 on its proximal end, wherein fastener 48 is configured to protrude through tank 12 and removably attach to fastener 60 (as seen in FIG. 2). Fastener 60 may be an internally threaded nut and fastener 48 may be a hollow and externally threaded post received by fastener 60. However, fasteners 48 and 60 may alternatively be a pin and hole receiver assembly, snap fit assembly, or the like. In the elevation view of FIG. 3, the plurality of substantially vertical portions of fill valve support mechanism 40 are visible, as well as the substantially horizontal portion extending toward the fill valve 35. The substantially diagonal portion of the fill valve support mechanism 40 is extending between the substantially vertical portions through the plane of view.

The external water supply that is ultimately introduced into fill valve 35 may be introduced through fluid line 42 of fill valve support mechanism 40. To that end, external water supply may be introduced into fill valve support mechanism 40 through proximal end of fill valve support mechanism 40 at fastener 48. Fluid line 42 then travels through or along valve support mechanism 40 via fluid line support mechanism 45 until arriving at distal end of fill valve support mechanism 40 at fastener 52 which may be removably fastened to fill valve 35 and fill valve support mechanism 40 via collar 53.

FIG. 4 depicts a top plan view of the embodiment described in FIG. 3, wherein fill valve support mechanism 40 and fill valve 35 have been rotated to provide a different perspective for illustrative purposes. Fluid line 42 is depicted as traversing the top of the fill valve support mechanism 40 and connecting to fill valve 35 via fastener 52 which is held by collar 53.

FIG. 5 depicts a side plan (elevation) view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 looking towards the mounting portion of fill valve 35, wherein the outer surface of the fill valve support mechanism 40 has been removed. In this regard, interconnection of fasteners 48 and 50 via fill valve support mechanism 40 is clearly seen. As fastener 48 is threadably received by fastener 60, fluid line support mechanism 45 of fill valve support mechanism 40 is secured to a wall in the lower portion of tank 12. Fastener 50 removably attaches to fluid line support mechanism 45, wherein fluid line 42 provides fluid communication between external water supply received by fill valve support mechanism 40 and fill valve 35.

Fill valve support mechanism 40 in turn may be constructed from relatively rigid material sufficient to support components of fluid line support mechanism 45, fill valve 35, fluid line 42, and the plurality of fasteners therein interconnected. Fill valve support mechanism 40 must be sufficiently rigid to support fill valve 35 above reservoir 20, and route fluid line 42 through or along fluid line support structure 45 from the lower portion of tank 12 without needing additional support, lateral, vertical, or otherwise. As can be seen, line 42 is fed from fastener 50 through guides of fluid line support mechanism 45 into fastener 52 which is coupled to fill valve 35. Fluid line support mechanism 45 may comprise fluid line receiver 51 positioned in a substantially vertical member of fill valve support mechanism 45 may be configured to receive and substantially envelop fluid line 42 and guide it between fasteners 50 and 52. Receiver 51 may comprise one or more walls that extend away from mechanism 45 and are sufficient to receive and support line 42. Optionally, receiver 51 may be a channel formed by and within fluid line support mechanism 45 wherein fluid line 42 is received. Optionally, fluid line support mechanism 45 may further comprise partial sleeve 49 sized to partially receive fluid line 42 at various points throughout fluid line support mechanism 45, such as, for example, just prior to fastener 52. An inner diameter of sleeve 49 may be slightly greater than outer diameter of line 42 so that line 42 may securely snap into sleeve 49 or be inserted thereto so that line is secured to mechanism 45 and fill valve 35.

The foregoing described features of fluid line support mechanism 45 ensure that fluid line 42 securely supplies water from external water supply (not depicted) to fill valve 35 so that reservoir 20 ultimately receives water without having to secure fill valve 35 to the upper portion of tank 12. The foregoing disclosure also provides a secure method of delivering water from the external water supply into the fill valve 35 while also providing structural support for the fill valve 35 from the lower portion of the toilet tank 12 (thereby removing a need to secure fill valve 35 from above reservoir 20 or anywhere in the upper portion of tank 12). Moreover, the foregoing disclosure additionally eliminates the need for a precast rigid fluid pipe. Additionally, the foregoing disclosure demonstrates an apparatus and method for employing a flexible tube as fluid line 42 which is routed away from movement of reservoir 20, thereby protected from blockage, impingement, twisting, or otherwise developing a kink in fluid line 42. It is understood that the lower portion of tank 12 may include the lower surface or any of the circumferential walls at least positioned near or below the lower portion of reservoir 20 when reservoir 20 is pivotally connected to tank 12.

FIG. 6a specifically depicts an exemplary embodiment of fill valve support mechanism 40 in an exploded state and FIG. 6b depicts fill valve support mechanism 40 with all components assembled as described below. In this embodiment, fastener 47 is visible and receives fastener 50 that may preferably be an internally threaded shank nut received by fastener 47 and fastener 47 may preferably be an externally threaded shank rise. Fastener 47 may be integrally formed with mechanism 45 or removably attached thereto.

As can be seen, fluid line 42 extends along fluid line support mechanism 45 from fastener 47 until terminating at fastener 52. Preferably, fastener 52 may be a valve nut coupled to valve end riser 54 and ultimately fill valve 35. Fastener 52 is removably connected to fill valve support mechanism 40 by collar 53. Further, fasteners 52 and 50 may receive fliud line 42 or may be inserted into fluid line 42 depending on design need or preference. Riser 54 may optionally comprise an O-ring and may be inserted into fluid line 42 to ensure that the fluid connection between fastener 52 and line 42 is properly sealed without leaks.

Fill valve 35 is then removably attached to fastener 52 and preferably through riser 54. Once fill valve 35 and fill valve support mechanism 40 are assembled to each other by collar 53, they may be installed into existing dump bucket configurations by rotating reservoir 20 in order to be able to access the lower portion of tank 12 and removably attach fill valve support mechanism 40 thereto. Preferably, fill valve support mechanism 40 is removably attached to a wall in the lower portion of tank 12 by inserting fastener 48 through to a valve opening hole (depicted in FIGS. 1-2) and then fastened to the wall of tank 12 by fastener 60. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of fill valve 35 and mechanism 40 in an exploded state prior to being assembled and therefore prior to be secured to tank 12. This particular view is beneficial as it depicts how fastener 52 and riser 54 can receive fill valve 35 and how sleeve 49 secures line 42 prior to being fastened to fastener 52 and how fastener 52 is removably connected to fill valve support mechanism 40 via collar 53.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments disclosed and described herein. Accordingly, the toilet configuration in which the disclosure herein is applied may comprise a valve seat to seal off hole 26 in which case actuator 24 is in communication with the same so that flush actuation includes unseating the seal from hole 26. Therefore, it is understood that the illustrated and described embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments include other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. It is also contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination(s).

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.

What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for mounting a fill valve in a toilet with a pivotable reservoir, the system comprising: a fill valve mounted inside a toilet tank and designed to deliver water to the pivotable reservoir from an external water supply, and a fill valve support mechanism which supports the fill valve from the lower portion of the toilet tank, wherein the fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fill valve support mechanism further comprises a plurality of fasteners which secure the fill valve support mechanism to the toilet tank and to the fill valve.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism is rigid and the fluid line is flexible.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line around the space through which the pivotable reservoir rotates when actuated to avoid impinging the fluid line and interfering with movement of the pivotable reservoir.
 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the toilet tank is the lower surface,
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line is in fluid communication with the fill valve and a water supply.
 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the fluid line is secured by a plurality of fasteners.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises a channel portion in which the fluid line is disposed.
 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises a portion that at least partially envelopes the fluid line.
 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises a sleeve portion which substantially encircles the fluid line.
 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line support mechanism further comprises at least one substantially horizontal member, at least one substantially diagonal member, and a plurality of substantially vertical members.
 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of substantially vertical members are connected by the at least one substantially diagonal member and wherein the substantially horizontal member extends from one of the plurality of substantially vertical members.
 13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid line is supported by the fluid line support mechanism through one or more fluid line curves or bends.
 14. The system according to claim 2, wherein the fill valve support mechanism further comprises an externally threaded fastener to removably fasten the fluid line support mechanism to the tank, and wherein the water supply is delivered to the fluid line through the externally threaded fastener of the fluid line support mechanism.
 15. A method of mounting a fill valve in a toilet tank with a pivotable reservoir, the method comprising: A step of moving the pivotable reservoir through its pivot axis to access a lower portion of the toilet tank, a step of fastening a proximal end of a fill valve support mechanism to a lower portion of the toilet tank, wherein a the fill valve support mechanism comprises a fluid line support mechanism and a fluid line, a step of installing the fluid line into the fluid line support mechanism, wherein the fluid line support mechanism routes the fluid line around the space through which the pivotable reservoir rotates when actuated to avoid impinging the fluid line and interfering with movement of the pivotable reservoir, and a step of securing a fill valve inside the toilet tank by fastening the fill valve to the distal end of fill valve support mechanism, wherein the fill valve delivers water to the pivotable reservoir.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of fastening the fill valve support mechanism to the lower portion of the toilet tank using a bolt.
 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of connecting a water supply line to a fastener of the fill valve support mechanism.
 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of securing a fill valve fastener to the fill valve support mechanism at the distal end by a collar.
 19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of installing the fluid line into the fluid line support mechanism by fasteners at a distal end and a proximal end of the fluid line.
 20. The method according to claim 15, further comprising a step of protecting the fluid line by disposing it at least partially within the fluid line support mechanism. 